Volume 13 Num. 1 - March 2013

Cognitive-behavioral treatment in a case of internet and videogames addiction

Authors:

Abstract:

In recent years there has been a growing interest in research in the field of technological addictions, but there are still few studies that analyze the effectiveness of psychological interventions in this problem. The purpose of this paper is to propose a cognitive-behavioral treatment for the Internet and video game addictions through a case study. The phases of treatment and the main techniques used are described. The treatment is carried out over 19 weeks and subsequently two follow up sessions were carried out. The main objective was learning to use appropriately Internet and video games, assuming that technological addictions treatment is not required total abstinence, but that intervention should focus on promoting an adaptive use of these technologies. The results are encouraging and show a significant reduction of time spent gaming and Internet, and the degree of loss of control. A decrease in the patient?s subjective distress and an improvement in their personal performance were also showed.